ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Culture
National Council of Science Museums  in association with Nehru Memorial Museum & Library  organises Astro Tourism- A Sky Gazing event at India Gate today
Highlights:
- The program will continue on 7th and 8th January with various activities
- The event was inaugurated by Minister of state for Culture Shri Arjun Ram Meghwal.
Under the banner of Amrit Mahotsav of Independence, National Council of Science Museums  in association with Nehru Memorial Museum & Library  organised today a spectacular Astro Tourism event at India Gate Lawns, Kartavya Path Delhi.
The program will continue on 7th and 8th January with various activities .The event was inaugurated by Minister of State for Culture Shri Arjun Ram Meghwal.
On the occasion MoS Shri Arjun Ram Meghwal said that the programme will help in developing scientific temper among the people which is a fundamental duty as per our constitution.
The Astro Tourism event includes various activities like Astro Talks by expert Astronomers, Exhibition on Astronomy, Storytelling related to celestial objects, Experience of using telescope to see craters of Moon, Astronomy Activities, Photographic Panel Exhibition, Astro-Photography.
This 3-day program will be a great learning experience for children of all age groups, as it will be interactive and practical and will be the best way to present science in a popular manner.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
UPDATES ON COVID-19
Central Team to visit Gujarat, Maharashtra and Telangana
Cumulative tests cross 75 lakhs
Recovery rate improves to 57.43%
A Central Team led by Sh Lav Agarwal, Joint Secretary, Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare will visit Gujarat, Maharashtra and Telangana on 26th-29th June, 2020. The team will interact with the State officials and coordinate with them to strengthen ongoing efforts for management of COVID-19.
In a significant ramping of the testing facilities across the country, India now has 1007 diagnostic labs. This includes 734 in the government sector and 273 private labs.
The break-up is as below:
- Real-Time RT PCR based testing labs: 559 
- TrueNat based testing labs : 364 
- CBNAAT based testing labs : 84 
From limited COVID-19 tests in Jan 2020, 2,07,871 tests conducted in the last 24 hours, taking the cumulative tests to more than 75 lakhs at 75,60,782.
During the last 24 hours, a total of 13,012 COVID-19 patients have been cured. Thus, so far, a total of 2,71,696 patients have been cured of COVID-19. The recovery rate is 57.43% amongst COVID-19 patients.
Presently, there are 1,86,514 active cases and all are under active medical supervision.
Cases per lakh in India currently stands at 33.39 against the world’s 120.21 cases/lakh. Also, death/lakh in the country is currently amongst the lowest in the world with 1.06 deaths/lakh against the world average of 6.24 deaths/lakh.
For all authentic & updated information on COVID-19 related technical issues, guidelines & advisories please regularly visit: https://www.mohfw.gov.in/ and @MoHFW_INDIA .
Technical queries related to COVID-19 may be sent to technicalquery.covid19[at]gov[dot]in and other queries on ncov2019[at]gov[dot]in and @CovidIndiaSeva .
In case of any queries on COVID-19, please call at the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare helpline no.: +91-11-23978046 or 1075 . List of helpline numbers of States/UTs on COVID-19 is also available at https://www.mohfw.gov.in/pdf/coronvavirushelplinenumber.pdf .
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
Update on COVID-19 Vaccine Availability in States/UTs
More than 193.53 Crore vaccine doses provided to States/UTs
More than 11.05 Crore balance and unutilized vaccine doses still available with States/UTs
The Union Government is committed to accelerating the pace and expanding the scope of COVID-19 vaccination throughout the country. The nationwide COVID 19 vaccination started on 16th January 2021. The new phase of universalization of COVID-19 vaccination commenced from 21st June 2021. The vaccination drive has been ramped up through availability of more vaccines, advance visibility of vaccine availability to States and UTs for enabling better planning by them, and streamlining the vaccine supply chain.
As part of the nationwide vaccination drive, Government of India has been supporting the States and UTs by providing them COVID Vaccines free of cost. In the new phase of the universalization of the COVID19 vaccination drive, the Union Government will procure and supply  75% of the vaccines being produced by the vaccine manufacturers in the country to States and UTs.
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VACCINE DOSES
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SUPPLIED
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1,93,53,58,865
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BALANCE AVAILABLE
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11,05,81,050
More than 193.53 crore  vaccine doses have been provided to States/UTs so far through Govt. of India  and through direct state procurement category.
More than 11.05 Cr  balance and unutilized COVID Vaccine doses are still available with the States/UTs to be administered.
Cabinet
Cabinet apprised of MoU between India and Russia for cooperation in the field of Science & Technology
Cabinet apprised of MoU between India and Russia for cooperation in the field of Science & Technology
The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has been apprised of the Memorandum of Understanding  between India and Russia for cooperation in the field of Science & Technology  signed in October, 2016.
The objective of the MoU is to facilitate and support joint scientific and research activities between scientific organizations, subordinated to the Agency and scientific organizations and scientists of the Republic of Russian Federation, with India through DST.
Under this MoU, the Parties will cooperate in the following forms:
i) exchange of information about conducted conferences, forums, exhibitions, seminars that are of mutual interest;
ii) support and provision of conditions for the formation of scientific projects aimed at the conduct of joint research, themes of which are determined jointly by the Parties;
iii) conduct of joint scientific events  aimed at establishing of direct connections between scientists of the two countries in the fields determined by the Parties;
iv) support of establishment of direct connections between scientific organizations, scientists and specialists of the Parties;
v) provision of media coverage of the joint scientific activity aimed at the popularization of science;
vi) development of inter-disciplinary and multi-institutional projects with the involvement of industry.
The MoU came into effect on the date of its signature and will remain valid for 5 years. Implementation of the present MoU can be extended for further 5 year periods if neither of the Parties informs by written agreement of its intention to terminate it at least 6 months before the expiration of a given 5-year period.
Ministry of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation
Cauvery Tribunal Gets Six Months Extension
Union Ministry of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation has extended the term of Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal by six months upto May 02, 2018.
(Cauvery is an inter‐State basin having its origin in Karnataka and flowing through Tamil Nadu and Puduchery before outfalling in Bay of Bengal. The sharing of waters of the Cauvery has been the source of a serious conflict between the states of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. The genesis of this conflict rests in two agreements in 1892 and 1924 between the erstwhile Madras Presidency and Kingdom of Mysore.
In this regard, Government of India on June 02, 1990 constituted the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal  to adjudicate the water dispute regarding inter‐state river Cauvery and the river valley thereof among the States of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala and Puducherry.
The Tribunal was asked to submit its report by August 05, 2005.The term of the tribunal was extended for one year upto August 06, 2006 and again for six months upto Februay 05, 2007.
CWDT gave its report and decision u/s 5 of the ISRWD Act, 1956 on February 05, 2007. The party States and Central Govt filed application for clarification/further guidance u/s 5  of the above said Act on April 27, 2007, April 30, 2007 and May 03, 2007 and the Tribunal had to submit a further report within one year from May 03,2007. The Central Govt. on the requests made by the tribunal from time to time extended the period of the submission of the said further report upto November 02, 2017. Now the tribunal has again sought an extension and hence the Govt. has extended the period upto May 02,2018.
Meanwhile, the Party States also filed Special Leave Petition  against the above mentioned report and decision of the Tribunal before the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court on May 05, 2007 granted Special Leave in the matter.
A Protem Supervisory Committee was constituted for implementation of the final order dated February 5, 2007 as notified vide Notification dated February 19, 2013. The Supervisory Committee consists of the Secretary, Union Ministry of Water Resources as Chairman and the Chief Secretaries of the respective States of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Union Territory of Puducherry as Members. So far eight meetings of this Committee have been held on June 01,2013, June 12,2013, July 15,2013, November 08,2013, September 28,2015, September 12,2016, September 19,2016 and February 17,2017 at New Delhi.
Decision of CWDT has been challenged by party States of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Kerala before Supreme Court by filling Civil Appeals. Supreme Court in its order dated December 09,2016 directed that these Civil Appeals are maintainable and the matter is sub judice in the court.
Samir/SKP
Ministry of Law and Justice
Legislative Drafting
Chapter 9 of the Manual of the Parliamentary Procedures in the Government of India provides procedures for legislation and the Legislative Department follows the procedure stated in that Manual while drafting laws. The Ministry/ Department to whom a subject matter is allocated under the Government of India  Rules, 1961 formulates the legislative proposals in consultation with experts and stake holders as well as all interested persons and authorities concerned. The Legislative Department prepares draft laws in consultation with the administrative Ministry concerned in accordance with the procedure laid down in the Manual of Parliamentary Procedures, ordinarily within thirty days from the date of receipt of the proposal and after clearance from the Department of Legal Affairs. During a meeting of Department-related Parliamentary Standing Committee the then Secretary, Legislative Department pointed out that many a times proposals are sent by the administrative Ministry very late, giving little or no room to examine them from legal and drafting angle. On every such occasion the administrative Departments are suitably advised verbally by the Legislative Department not to submit the proposal at the last moment, since such action compromises the quality of legislative drafting.
This information was given by the Union Minister of Law and Justice, Shri Kiren Rijiju in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions
Retirement of Government Servants on 31st March, 2020
In view of the unprecedented situation arising out of country-wide lockdown declared by the Government consequent to the outbreak of COVID-19, it is clarified that the central Government employees who are attaining the age of superannuation on 31st March, 2020 in terms of Fundamental Rule 56 and due to retire, shall retire from Central Government service on 31st March, 2020, irrespective of whether they are working from home or working from office.
Ministry of Panchayati Raj
UTTARPARA-KOTRANG MUNICIPALITY STARTS DOOR-TO-DOOR TESTING TO IDENTIFY COVID-19 CASE
Kolkata, 17th April, 2020
COVID-19 outbreak has posed a threat and extraordinary health emergency worldwide. India is also facing the wrath of this virus. Government of India is taking several steps along with the States/UTs for the prevention, containment and management of COVID-19 in the country. Similarly municipalities across India are innovating new ideas to spread the message for containment of the disease.
In an attempt to identify the suspected COVID-19 infected patients in Hooghly district, administration has initiated a door to door health checkup drive. As a part of that extensive effort health checkup initiative was undertaken today at various places under Uttarpara-Kotrang Municipality. Primarily it has been decided that the municipal area will be divided into four zones. The doctors and health workers will go to each house of the designated area and do thermal scanning. As a follow up action all essential and necessary data will be collected regarding health and ailments. The data regarding the medicines they consume will also be taken. After doing the data analysis if needed concerned person will be sent to government hospitals for further investigation.
Four medical teams have been constituted for this purpose. Authorities expect this initiative would help in instilling confidence among the citizens.
CG/SDG
(Visitor Counter : 14
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
COVID-19 UPDATE
220.66 cr Total Vaccine doses  have been administered so far under Nationwide Vaccination Drive
1,930 doses administered in last 24 hours
India's Active caseload currently stands at 33,232
Active cases stand at 0.07%
Recovery Rate currently at 98.74%
6,587 recoveries in the last 24 hours increases Total Recoveries to 4,43,99,415
3,611 new cases recorded in the last 24 hours
Daily positivity rate 
Weekly Positivity Rate 
92.74 cr Total Tests conducted so far; 1,73,263 tests conducted in the last 24 hours
Ministry of Labour & Employment
Employees’ Pension Scheme
The has been framed by the Central Government in accordance with the powers conferred by section 6A of the Employees’ Provident Funds and Miscellaneous Provisions  Act, 1952. The EPS-95 came into force on 19.11.1995. Review and revision of schemes is an ongoing process. The provisions of the EPS-95 are reviewed from time to time based on the recommendations of the Expert Committee and the High Empowered Monitoring Committee as well as taking into account the actuarial evaluation of the Employees’ Pension Fund. Some of the important amendments made in EPS-95 are as under:
- Increase in wage ceiling from Rs. 6500/- to Rs.15000 per month from 01.09.2014.
- Provision of a minimum pension of Rs. 1000 per month to the pensioners under EPS, 1995 from 01.09.2014 by providing additional budgetary support wherever the pension was falling short of Rs.1000 as per pre-defined formula for calculation of pension.
- Restoration of normal pension after completion of fifteen years from the date of such commutation, in respect of those members who availed the benefit of commutation of pension under the erstwhile paragraph 12A of the EPS, 1995, on or before 25.09.2008 vide notification G.S.R.132 dated 20.02.2020.
The Union of India and the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation  have challenged the judgement dated 12.10.2018 of Hon'ble Kerala High Court, which set aside the 2014 amendments to the EPS-95, in the Hon’ble Supreme Court. The Hon’ble Supreme Court vide its order dated 24.08.2021 in Special Leave Petition  Nos.8658-8659 of 2019 and other connected cases directed to refer the matters to a Bench of at least three Judges. The matter is now sub-judice.
The Code on Social Security, 2020 , was notified on 29.09.2020, which subsumes 9 Central labours laws including the EPF and MP Act, 1952. Section 15 of the new Code envisages to frame various schemes including pension for the employees and their family members. However, the said Code has not yet come into force.
This information was given by the Minister of State for Labour & Employment, Shri Rameswar Teli in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
COVID-19 UPDATE
220.66 cr Total Vaccine doses  have been administered so far under Nationwide Vaccination Drive
2,055 doses administered in last 24 hours
India's Active caseload currently stands at 21,406
Active cases stand at 0.05%
Recovery Rate currently at 98.77%
3,430 recoveries in the last 24 hours increases Total Recoveries to 4,44,21,781
2,109 new cases recorded in the last 24 hours
Daily positivity rate 
Weekly Positivity Rate 
92.80 cr Total Tests conducted so far; 1,59,454 tests conducted in the last 24 hours
Ministry of Commerce & Industry
ONDC network starts beta testing with consumers in Bengaluru
Consumer experience and feedback to shape ONDC’s new e-Commerce initiative of government
In a significant milestone, Open Network for Digital Commerce , an initiative of the Department of Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade , Ministry of Commerce, Government of India has opened its network to consumers in 16 locations across the city of Bengaluru.
To begin with, consumers can place their orders in two domains – groceries and restaurants through buyer apps participating on the ONDC network.
ONDC’s beta test in the city of Bengaluru is a major first step in operationalising a network approach to e-commerce as an alternative to platform centric approach. This will make e-Commerce landscape more inclusive, accessible and experience driven for all consumers and sellers.
Consumers can now shop from multiple categories of products and services from a single buyer application of their choice. They can buy grocery products or order food from the stores and restaurants. In the coming weeks many more applications will join the network expanding both buyer and sellers who can participate in this transaction.
ONDC started its Alpha test phase with a closed user group of buyers first in Bengaluru in April 2022 expanding to more than 80 cities by September 2022. This validated the apps and confirmed business and operational flows. Now in beta testing phase, general public can experience shopping via ONDC and provide early feedback for necessary action if any before expanding further.
To build trust amongst consumers, sellers and Network Participants  in the open network, ONDC has consulted current ecosystem, experts and examined best practices for adapting and evolving the best approach to build trust in an unbundled decentralised network. This is explained in a consultation paper that is being made available for public consultation on the official social media handles of DPIIT, ONDC and the website.
Incorporated on 31st December 2021, Open Network for Digital Commerce , a Section 8 company is an initiative of the Department of Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade , Ministry of Commerce, Government of India, envisioned to create a facilitative model to revolutionise digital commerce, giving greater thrust to penetration of retail e-commerce in India. ONDC is not an application, platform, intermediary, or software, but a set of specifications designed to foster open, unbundled, and interoperable open networks thereby eliminating the dependency on a single platform.
Major ONDC objectives are:
- Democratisation and decentralisation of eCommerce
- Inclusivity and access for sellers, especially small and medium enterprises as well as local businesses
- Increased choices and independency for consumers
Ministry of Road Transport & Highways
FASTag made mandatory for availing all discounts on the National Highways Fee Plazas
Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has made the use of FASTag mandatory for availing return journey discount or any other exemptions on Toll Fee Plazas. Users who wish to claim a discount for making return journey within 24 hours or any other local exemptions, shall be required to have a valid functional FASTag on the vehicle. A Gazette notification no. 534 E dated 24th August, 2020 to amend the National Highways Fee  Rules, 2008 has been notified in this respect.
This is another step towards promoting the use of digital payments on Fee Plazas of NHs. The fee payable towards such discounts shall be paid through pre-paid instruments, smart card or through FASTag or on board unit  or any other such device only.
The amendments to the Rules would enable-
i. For discount on return journey within 24 hours, it would be through FASTag or such other device and automatic and no requirement for a pass.
ii. For discounts on all other cases, having a valid FASTag is made necessary.
The amendment would also enable that in cases where there is a discount available for a return journey within 24 hours, there is no need for a prior receipt or intimation and the citizen would get the discount automatically if return journey is made within 24 hours with a valid and a functional FASTag on the vehicle.
Ministry of Power
NHPC and VUCL, Nepal sign MoU for development of Phukot Karnali Hydro Electric Project  in Nepal
NHPC Limited  and Vidhyut Utpadan Company Limited , Nepal signed an MoU  in New Delhi today for development of Phukot Karnali Hydro Electric Project  in Nepal. The MoU was signed in the presence of Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi and Prime Minister of Nepal Shri Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ at Hyderabad House in New Delhi.
Shri R.K. Vishnoi, CMD, NHPC and Shri Surya Prasad Rijal, MD, VUCL, Nepal exchanging MOU documents for development of Phukot Karnali Hydro Electric Project  in Nepal in presence of Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi and Prime Minister of Nepal Shri Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ at Hyderabad House, New Delhi.
NHPC Limited, a Schedule ‘A’ Enterprise of the Government of India with ‘MINI RATNA’ status, is a premier PSU in India for development of hydropower and Vidhyut Utpadan Company Limited , Nepal is responsible to develop, build, own and operate large-scale hydropower projects in public-private partnership model in Nepal.
The MOU was exchanged by Sh. R.K. Vishnoi, Chairman & Managing Director, NHPC and Shri Surya Prasad Rijal, Managing Director, VUCL. Signing of this MOU is a landmark step towards India-Nepal Joint Vision on Power Sector Cooperation.
The project will use the flow from the Karnali River for power generation and the generated power will be fed into integrated power system of Nepal. The installed capacity of the project shall be 480 MW with average annual generation of about 2448 GWh. The key features of the project are a 109 metre high RCC dam and an underground power house where the 06 turbines of 79 MW each shall be housed. Additionally, to utilize minimum environmental release one Surface Power House of 6 MW capacity i.e. two machines of 3 MW each is also planned. This project is conceived as a Peaking Run-of-River  type scheme.
Ministry of Micro,Small & Medium Enterprises
KHADI PRAKRITIK PAINT
Khadi Prakratik Paint has been developed from cow dung by Kumarappa National Handmade Paper Institute , Jaipur, a unit of Khadi and Village Industries Commission , under the administrative control of the Ministry of MSME. Khadi Prakratik paint is eco-friendly and cost effective. The Khadi Prakratik Paint developed by KNHPI has been tested at National Test House, Ghaziabad , National Test House, Mumbai  and Shri Ram Institute of Industrial Research, Delhi  and satisfies the parameters required for paint.
It is envisaged that manufacture of Khadi Prakratik Paint will promote local manufacturing, create sustainable employment and generate additional revenue for farmers and cow shelter homes and will also generate employment in the rural areas, which will improve the rural economy and help in controlling the migration from rural to urban areas, in the country.
Cow dung is a major constituent used in the manufacture of Prakritik Paint. 100 kgs. of cow dung is utilized for making 500 liters of paint. Therefore, setting up of paint units would be helpful in utilization of cow dung and thereby help in cleaning the environment.
KNHPI imparts training in manufacture of Khadi Prakritik Paint. Prakritik Paint manufacturing units are being set up under Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme  scheme of Ministry of MSME. The technology for the manufacture of Khadi Prakritik Paint has been provided to many units in villages in the country.
This information was given by Union Minister for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, Shri Narayan Rane in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.